IRFU Fitness Workshops Well Received

The November and December IRFU Fitness Workshops proved hugely successful with fitness coaches from across Ireland. World-renowned Professor Dietmar Schmidtbleicher and Olympic medallist Martin Zawieja presented two interesting modules as part of the workshops.

The November Fitness Workshop was opened by Professor Dietmar Schmidtbleicher, arguably the world authority on strength and power development in sport.

He presented the latest research and his interpretations on developing strength and power. Dietmar is Professor of Sports Science at the University of Frankfurt in Germany. He travels the world advising and consulting with many sport organisations.

He was also the original author and researcher on Complex and Contrast training and many more important findings and studies on 'Speed-Strength'.

Fifty fitness coaches attended the workshop from around the country. They showed great commitment coming to the workshop as the weather in November was extremely bad.

The second part of the workshop was presented by James Fennelly, Ireland's strongest man. James presented on Strongman training. Fitness coaches that attended showed great interest in this rejuvenated method of strength training.

The December Fitness Workshop was presented by Martin Zawieja who is an elite weightlifting coach and also an Olympic medallist in the super heavyweight division.

School and club coaches who attended the workshop were given an introduction to weightlifting. Martin was also assisted by Colin Buckley from the Irish Amateur Weightlifting Association and Des Ryan (IRFU Fitness Education Manager).

As the day was an introductory one to weightlifting, it targeted coaches new to weightlifting in sport. The workshop is the first step on the coaching accreditation ladder.

Participants are encouraged to continue with further courses, notably the Resistance Training and Weightlifting for Sport course run by Setanta College and accredited by HETAC in partnership with the IRFU and the IAWLA.

Similar introductory workshops will be run in the coming months on a demand basis. Keep an eye on the IRFU website and Setanta College website for information.

The countdown is on to the Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23. Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens & Women's Rugby, previews what promises to be an exciting couple of days.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Jenny Murphy talks about the progress made by the Ireland Women's Sevens team and their pool draw for the upcoming Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Conor Murray and Tommy Bowe speak to Irish Rugby TV about their Rugby World Cup preparations and thank the thousands of supporters who came out to see the players at the open training session at the Sportsground.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell gives his verdict on the team's new Rugby World Cup jersey and talks about his move to French club Toulon. Ireland's RWC 2015 range is available to pre-order now from http://shop.irishrugby.ie.

Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens, talks about the target of a top three finish for both the Ireland Men and Women in Lisbon this weekend, as they continue on their quests for Olympic qualification.

Tom Daly, who recently captained the Ireland Men's Sevens team to the European Division C and B titles, is looking forward to playing in this weekend's Rugby Europe Olympic Repechage tournament in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ireland will host the 'Women's Sevens Dublin' at UCD on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. Tournament director Garrett Tubridy and Ireland stars Lucy Mulhall, Jenny Murphy and Louise Galvin speak about their excitement ahead of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series qualifier.

Coach Allen Clarke and stand-in captain Billy Holland answer questions from the media following Emerging Ireland's 45-12 victory over Georgia in the final round of their successful Tbilisi Cup campaign.

Emerging Ireland coach Allen Clarke speaks about his side's five-try 33-7 win over Uruguay in the Tbilisi Cup and the first half injury to captain Rhys Ruddock. They wrap up the tournament against hosts Georgia on Sunday.

Speaking about the floods that occurred following the Tbilisi Cup's first round, Emerging Ireland team manager Joey Miles said: "A natural event like that, a tragedy like that puts the game of rugby into perspective. We express our regrets to the Georgian people and the Georgian Union for the terrible tragedy that they had."

David O'Reilly from the IRFU Charitable Trust's Corporate Patrons Committee speaks about the new scheme which provides businesses with unique networking opportunities and provides a platform for companies to effectively activate their CSR programmes. For further information, please contact Linda Black of the Charitable Trust - telephone (01) 6473866 or email: linda.black@irfu.ie / http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34728.php.